Deck replacement in Northwest Arkansas
Most old decks don’t fail at the boards you walk on. They fail at the ledger, the footings and the hardware. Here’s how to tell whether yours needs replacing, and what a new one has to meet.
Signs a deck needs more than new boards
- Soft or spongy wood. The North American Deck and Railing Association’s safety checklist says that if a screwdriver goes in a quarter to half an inch easily, decay may be present. Check the posts, the joists and the ledger, not just the surface.
- A ledger that’s only nailed, or not flashed. NADRA calls the ledger (the board that attaches the deck to the house) a common source of deck failure. It should be bolted or lag-screwed, with flashing that keeps water out of the house framing.
- Rusted connectors and fasteners. Corroded hangers and screws weaken the wood around them. Code now requires hot-dipped galvanized or stainless fasteners at the ledger.
- Wobbly railings or stairs. A guard that moves when you lean on it is a safety problem, not a cosmetic one.
- Posts sitting on the ground or on shallow blocks. Posts need proper footings and connectors.
Repair or replace?
If the framing, ledger and footings are sound, new decking and railings can give an old deck years more life. If the ledger is rotted or was never flashed, or the joists are soft, replacing the structure is the safe call. Often we can reuse the deck’s footprint, which keeps the permit simple. We’ll show you what we find before you decide.
What a replacement deck has to meet
Arkansas enforces the 2021 International Residential Code, and a new deck is built to today’s rules even if the old one wasn’t:
- Ledger: at least a 2×8 pressure-treated board, never hung on brick or stone veneer, with hot-dipped galvanized or stainless fasteners and flashing.
- Footings: at least 12 inches below undisturbed ground under the IRC. Fayetteville’s deck guide requires 24 inches for attached decks.
- Guards: required wherever the deck is more than 30 inches above grade, at least 36 inches tall, with openings that won’t pass a 4-inch sphere.
- Stairs: risers no taller than 7¾ inches, treads at least 10 inches deep, and a handrail once there are four or more risers.
Permits and inspections
Replacing a deck is new construction in the city’s eyes. Fayetteville inspects decks at footings, framing and final, and requires construction plans and a scaled site plan with the permit. Bella Vista has its own Deck and Dock permit, and Bella Vista homes may also need Architectural Control Committee approval. We pull the permit and meet the inspector. For new decks, covered decks and materials, see decks and outdoor living.
Recent deck replacement work
Questions about deck replacement
Can you replace just the deck boards?
Yes, if the framing is sound. We check the ledger, joists, posts and footings first. Putting new boards on rotten framing just hides the problem.
Should the new deck be composite?
Composite costs more up front but needs no staining and doesn’t splinter. Pressure-treated wood costs less and needs cleaning and sealing every few years. Either way the frame underneath is pressure-treated lumber, built to code.
Can I put a hot tub on my deck?
Only on a deck designed for it. Fayetteville’s deck guide notes that standard decks aren’t approved for future hot tub installations, so tell us up front and we’ll design the framing and footings for the load.
Where we do deck replacement
We work across Northwest Arkansas:
Our process
Free consultation
We talk through what you want, look at the space and give you an honest read on feasibility and budget.
Itemized estimate
A written estimate with every line item. No hidden costs.
Contract and scope
A clear scope of work, timeline and payment schedule, agreed before anything starts.
Planning and permits
Selections, ordering, scheduling and any permits the city requires.
Construction
Our crew and trusted trades do the work, and you get regular updates along the way.
Final walkthrough
We walk the finished job with you and fix anything that isn’t right before we call it done.
From our clients
From homeowners and property owners we’ve worked for. See all our Google reviews.
“The boys at Harvey Construction are top notch! Great quality and great people! I’ve used them for everything from fascia repairs to bathroom remodels and they always deliver exceptional results.”
“We have an air bnb in downtown Bentonville and these guys helped us fix it up. They also really helped us get it back up and running after the tornado in June 2024. They even connected us with some of the services needed that they don’t cover such as water removal. Thanks guys!”
“Would recommend. Harvey Construction’s got some excellent staff in their office and on the field. They were eager to get us on the schedule quickly, communicated when weather delays occurred, and delivered quality work.”
Other services
Bathroom Remodeling
Tub-to-shower conversions, walk-in tile showers, new vanities and full primary-bath remodels.
Kitchen Remodeling
Cabinets, countertops, islands, lighting and layout changes, from a refresh to a full gut.
Basement Finishing
Turn an unfinished basement into living space, done right on moisture, egress and code.